Description and features
The squirrel is a cute, small animal from the order of rodents, with a slender body and elongated, strong legs. Typically, such animals do not weigh more than a kilogram and are 40 cm long, but they can be one and a half to two times smaller, depending on the species.
However, in the vast family of squirrels there are larger representatives. These are animals from the genus of giant squirrels, growing in length up to 50 cm or more, reaching a weight of 3 kg. But in this animal community there are also tiny ones - representatives of the genus of dwarf squirrels, no more than 7.5 cm tall.
A distinctive feature of the appearance of such creatures is a slightly elongated, small head, on which there are black shiny button eyes and a neat rounded nose, as well as long, elongated, erect ears ending in funny tassels, especially noticeable in winter.
The squirrel's forelimbs with movable five fingers resemble hands. They are shorter than the rear ones. And, leaning on their legs, these animals are able to skillfully wield them, performing rather delicate operations that are useful in everyday life.
But the most remarkable detail of its appearance is the squirrel's tail . This fluffy and very noticeable part of the body, which in a calm state borders the back of the animal from bottom to top and is two-thirds the size of these creatures themselves, helps them move.
It functions as a steering wheel, stabilizing the position of the body and regulating the direction of movement. The described representatives of the animal kingdom spend a huge part of their lives in trees, high above the surface of the earth. They have cleverly adapted to climb branches and trunks, clinging to them with their sharp claws.
Delighting an outside observer, they write out intricate complex trajectories with grace and at the same time, when moving, they seem almost weightless. Their masterly jumps are sometimes up to four meters long. And therefore, not only when moving, but also when suddenly falling, squirrels find their tails very useful, with which they skillfully maneuver.
When danger approaches and in tragic situations, these animals produce piercing sounds, which serves as a signal for their fellow creatures, forcing them to remain on their guard.
Their vision and hearing are excellently developed. Additional devices for the sense of touch are vibrissae - hard hairs that stand out above the main coat, located on the muzzle, front legs and tummy.
Fluffy, especially in winter, squirrel fur is lightweight. Moreover, the richness of its color is manifested not only in the species diversity of such creatures, but also in seasonal changes. In summer, most often the main background of their cover is red, brown or brown.
There are melanistic black squirrels and, in contrast, albinos. In winter, their fur changes from short and stiff to thicker, softer and longer, the color tones become gray, and the belly of the animals becomes lighter. These are very cute creatures, but their characteristics can best be judged by looking at the squirrel in the photo .
Squirrel hunting
Squirrels have valuable fur and equally valuable meat, which is very popular among gourmets around the world. To hunt this animal you do not need to have much experience or knowledge, and its habitat is easy to find. That is why catching and shooting them is so popular among hunters.
Hunting takes place from late autumn until the end of February; it is at this time that its skin is considered the most valuable. It is better to inquire about specific dates in the region where you are going to hunt, so as not to break the law. In addition to standard equipment, you will need a hunting permit, which must be obtained in advance.
Many people prefer to hunt with dogs, but this is not necessary. The main thing in this matter is still luck and patience. Hunting is more fruitful in the morning or late afternoon, when animals come out of their hiding places. Before hunting, it is better to observe the animal, learn its habits and habits, then it will be easier to catch it.
Attentiveness is also an important factor. The animal always honors the presence of a person in the forest and will be on guard, therefore the hunter needs to more carefully monitor his prey and not scare it away.
Today, it is not difficult to see these animals in the wild; you just have to take a walk in the park or visit a forest. However, if we do not treat them with care, then perhaps in the near future meeting squirrels will be a rare occurrence. Let's take care of these cute animals. It's not as difficult as it seems. You just need to build a simple feeder with seeds or other food and place it on a tree within easy reach. Perhaps by doing this, in winter, you will save more than one animal from hunger.
Types of squirrels
According to strict terminology, only representatives of the genus of the same name as these animals are called squirrels. But often red squirrels, animals found in cool regions of North America, are also included in a similar category.
These are tailed rodents that, like their counterparts, climb trees. Therefore, they are often confused with red, similar in shades of fur color, representatives of the Russian fauna - common squirrels, whose range occupies a vast territory of Eurasia from the Atlantic to the island of Sakhalin.
This also often includes the so-called palm squirrels - creatures that outwardly look more like chipmunks, but have a huge tail, reaching up to 61 cm in size. Such animals live in India, where they are considered very revered animals.
They belong to the giants of the squirrel kingdom, and the color scheme of their fur, depending on their habitat, has significant special differences. They feed mainly on grassy foods and live in trees.
In general, the squirrel family is very extensive. In addition to representatives of the genus squirrels (a narrower animal group), ground squirrels, marmots and other rodents are included there. They are very diverse in behavior and appearance. And their sizes range from 60 cm to very tiny.
Among such dwarfs, it is interesting to mention the mouse squirrel. This animal got its name because of its corresponding size. It also looks like a mouse: it has an elongated muzzle and rounded ears.
The color of such animals is white and yellow. They live in the vicinity of the Congo River, in the forests of Gabon and Cameroon. The category of dwarf representatives also includes the so-called baby squirrel, an inhabitant of the forests of South America. Even the sounds that such creatures make are in tune with the chirping of a grasshopper. They live in trees and feed on their bark, as well as nuts and fruits.
It is already clear that of squirrel species in nature, and therefore it is impossible to list all of them. But, wanting to emphasize the diversity and significant prevalence of such animals throughout the planet, the following can be distinguished among the most notable representatives of the genus.
- Abert's squirrel is a resident of the coniferous forests of the United States and Mexico. The length of such creatures is about half a meter, the head is round, the fur is gray, marked with brownish-red areas. They feed on oak acorns and seeds, and also eat mushrooms and carrion. The named species is also divided into nine subspecies.
- The Caucasian squirrel is a small animal with short ears without tufts, a uniform bright color, in which chestnut, brown, silver and black tones predominate. In addition to the Caucasus, such animals have spread along the Mediterranean coast and live in Iraq and Iran in chestnut, walnut, beech and oak forests.
- The Carolina squirrel was originally considered an inhabitant of North America, but has now somehow penetrated into England and Scotland, and even into Italy. It has taken root in new areas of the planet so much that, being very adapted, it displaces its indigenous relatives. The gray outfit of such animals is marked with red and brown markings.
- The Japanese squirrel is an inhabitant of forests on the small hills of the islands of Shikoku, Hokkaido, Honshu and Kyushu from the Japanese archipelago. It is endemic to these places. In appearance, this is the cutest creature, small (less than 15 cm) in size. The outfit of such animals consists of gray, silver, brownish and white tones.
Such a squirrel, as a rule, has a large tail, small ears and huge eyes. Such creatures, like most of their relatives, live in trees, feed on acorns, nuts, seeds, and reproduce well.
The most common types of squirrels
The squirrel is the most common species of rodent that lives on almost all continents. They are found in deciduous forests, evergreen forests, mountains and lowlands. Often representatives of this species can be seen in city parks and private gardens.
We list the most common types of squirrels:
Abertha , its body length can reach 58 cm, its tail length is 25 cm, its ears have tufts. The squirrel's fur is gray with a stripe on the back of a brownish-red color. Its habitat is Mexico and the southwestern United States.
Brazilian or Guiana squirrel , its body length does not exceed 20 cm, its tail can reach 18 cm, it has a dark brown color. Lives in South America in forests and parks.
Allen , females of this species are larger than males; their weight can be 500 g. In winter, the color of the squirrel’s coat is yellow-brown on the sides, with gray and black colors present. The top of the head is dark, the ears are without tufts. In summer, the coat darkens.
The Caucasian squirrel can reach 25 cm in length and has short ears without tufts. The squirrel's fur resembles bright rust, the back is brown-gray, the sides are chestnut-brown, and the belly is light.
Arizona - similar in appearance to the Aberta squirrel, the preferred habitat is the mountainous region. It is found in Mexico and Arizona.
Golden-bellied squirrel , the male and female of this species are almost identical in structure and weight. They live in Guatemala and Mexico.
The Carolina squirrel is quite large, it can grow up to 52 cm in length. The fur color is gray with brown or red patches, the belly is white. The rodent lives in the USA, Scotland, England and Italy.
Deppe's squirrel is reddish-brown with grey, yellow-brown or grey-brown in color. The upper part of the tail is black and white, the lower part is rust-colored, and the belly is light.
The yellow-throated squirrel is distinguished by its small body size of no more than 17 cm, the tail can be up to 18 cm long. The color of the back is red-brown, the belly is red-orange, and the tail is striped. Main habitat: Brazil, Venezuela.
The red-tailed squirrel can have a length of 52 cm, with a tail length of up to 28 cm. The coat color is dark red, the breast can be white or bright red, the tip of the tail is black. Habitat: Central and South America.
The western gray can weigh up to 942 g with a body length of up to 60 cm. The animal is silver-gray in color with a white belly. The ears are clearly visible, but without tufts. Most often this rodent can be found in America.
A black squirrel can weigh up to 1 kg and its body length can be 70 cm. The fur color can be light brown with yellowish patches or dark brown with black.
Veksha has tassels, body length reaches 28 cm, weight does not exceed 340 g. This rodent has a wide variety of colors: from brown-red to gray-black. Habitat Eurasia, Japan.
The famous flying squirrel
Not all species of the squirrel family are presented here, but the most common ones.
Lifestyle and habitat
It should be noted that the entire squirrel family, including five subfamilies and 48 genera, has about three hundred species, which is almost comparable in number to the very large mouse family. Representatives of the animal world from the genus squirrels have successfully taken root on almost all continents (except Australia, and Antarctica, of course).
They live in the harsh northern regions, but also where it is warmer, in the south, they settled in mountain thickets and in flat areas, filling not only forests (mostly coniferous), but also enlivening the landscapes of city parks and squares.
The wild animal squirrel is a solitary creature. These animals gather in flocks only in emergency cases, that is, for the most part during periods of mass migrations. Squirrels are not particularly friendly with each other, but they also do not have the habit of quarreling and fighting. They do not fight for territory and do not divide areas of individual residence.
Accustomed to living in trees, these creatures feel extremely uncomfortable on the ground, and if they descend from a height, they move only in short dashes and jumps, constantly listening to suspicious rustling sounds and looking around with caution, so that, sensing danger, they can take refuge in the shelter as quickly as possible. the saving crown of dense trees, where they feel at ease.
All representatives of the squirrel family are, as a rule, excellent jumpers. But the real virtuosos in this field are flying squirrels. This is the customary name for representatives of a special subfamily of squirrels. These are small animals, resembling their relatives only vaguely in appearance.
Their front and hind legs are covered with special membranes that help them glide. By straightening their own limbs during a jump, such unique creatures are able to soar, turning their movement from branch to branch into almost real flight.
The squirrel animal most of its waking hours searching for food, and in the mornings and evenings these creatures are most active in this matter. The houses of such animals are located in trees.
Their shelters are high hollows hidden among dense thickets of branches and crowns. There, the animals make spherical nests, covering them with lichen, moss, leaves and dry grass. For security reasons, there are usually two entrances to a home.
Yes, and there is far more than one house for each individual. Sometimes there are up to one and a half dozen of them. The squirrel does not freeze in such a shelter in winter, because it insulates it in advance, covering the cracks and exits with moss. Sometimes, in order to warm each other, animals are placed in small groups in one hollow.
Nutrition
It is not for nothing that these animals are classified as rodents, because they have sharp teeth, which provides them with great service in the process of successful feeding. With their jaws they are able to split very hard fruits in half; for example, they crack hard nuts with agility. Squirrels chew on something almost constantly, which quickly wears down their teeth, but others soon grow in their place.
Such representatives of the planetary fauna cannot be called carnivores, although they are capable of eating frogs, small mammals and small birds, as well as insect eggs and themselves.
However, the diet of the described animals consists mainly of a plant menu, significantly enriched in fats, carbohydrates and proteins. These can be, in addition to especially favorite nuts and acorns, fruits and seeds of plants.
Therefore, for animals living in countries with not the warmest climates, the beginning of spring should be considered a very unfavorable period. At this time, all the old stocks left over from last season are coming to an end.
And even the seeds preserved in the soil begin to germinate intensively and are no longer suitable for consumption. Therefore, at this period of the year, squirrels have no choice but to feed on tree buds.
The forest squirrel is an economical, prudent animal. Therefore, such animals tend to leave significant reserves of food for the harsh season in the fall. Some of them are in the habit of storing their provisions in tree hollows, others organize warehouses in underground burrows.
But, having a weak memory, they often forget about the place where their treasures are hidden. This is very typical for many representatives of the fauna, including squirrels. But their wealth is not wasted. Thus, by “planting” seeds, the animals contribute to the future germination and spread of new trees.
The described cute rodents can sometimes turn into intolerable pests. This happens if there are too many of them and food supplies are limited. Then they may well decide to raid, which they make into attics and basements in human homes, where they gnaw off everything.
Summary of a lesson on familiarization with nature, topic: “Squirrel”
Author of the lesson: Svetlana Alekseevna Davydova, teacher-methodologist of the highest qualification category.
Expand and clarify children's knowledge about proteins. Enrich children's existing knowledge with new information. Introduce the riddle about the squirrel and the proverbs: “If you put it further away, you will take it closer,” “A cat’s cat is also a child.” Vocabulary: nimble, cocky, businesslike, scandalous. Continue to teach how to solve riddles and pretend to guess the answers. Cultivate interest in the nature of your native land.
Equipment:
Pictures and photographs of squirrels, equipment for applique practice.
Reproduction and lifespan
Wild squirrels are quite capable of producing offspring up to three times per season. But usually this happens twice, then they bear offspring in April, and then only in June. For the first time, the signal for the start of a new breeding cycle is the awakening of nature. This happens when winter is receding, and spring is just beginning to come into its own, the snow has not yet melted, but the sun is warming up more strongly, and the days are becoming much longer.
During the period of preparation for mating, representatives of the male half show noticeable aggressive activity. Males attack competitors and start desperate fights among themselves, competing for a partner, the number of contenders for which sometimes reaches up to six males. However, in the end, only one of the competitors, usually the strongest, receives the honorary right to leave offspring.
Only the mother squirrel is responsible for building the nest for the new generation, and she begins this important task immediately after mating is completed. In the future, she will take care of the brood without the participation and help of the partner, who has already done everything that nature required of him.
A squirrel nest is almost an ordinary hollow, only somewhat larger in size. At the end of the gestation period, which lasts up to forty days for the female, birth occurs, and naked, deaf and blind squirrels are born in an amount of up to ten tiny individuals.
During the first hours and days of their lives, they huddle close to their mother from the cold, warming themselves from her body. And only after two weeks they begin to see clearly and become covered with fur. All this time and up to six weeks, a caring parent feeds them with delicious milk. And when going in search of food, she hides the babies from unkind eyes in the soft moss bedding of the nest.
At first, the grown-up squirrels feel not entirely confident on tree branches when they begin to make their first exits from the nest. They behave cautiously and are afraid of heights. But soon the squirrel nature takes its toll.
And after a month and a half, sometimes two, the cubs, strengthened and matured, are almost able to lead an ordinary life, like other representatives of their kind. And their mother is preparing to give the world a new litter.
In the wild, these animals have a chance to live no more than five years. But the life of tame squirrels, living near a person who feeds them, protects them from enemies and diseases, as a rule, turns out to be longer and reaches up to 12 years.
Keeping squirrels at home
Squirrels are creatures that most often treat humans with peaceful trust. And living in parks on trees, they willingly go down their trunks to take some delicacy from human hands. But a domestic squirrel is not always a joy in a person’s home.
To keep it in decent conditions, you need to have a lot of patience and everyday capabilities. Moreover, such pets are quite capable of creating many unpleasant problems for their owners. The animals' moods often change, their character is unpredictable, and the squirrel nature desperately requires space to live.
Wild individuals domesticated as adults often scratch and bite. True, those squirrels that were born in captivity or taken into the house as babies behave more calmly, confidently and peacefully.
It is customary to keep such pets in spacious cages with an area of about a square meter and a height of one and a half. The foods that squirrels need to stay healthy and develop normally are very expensive.
These are, of course, nuts; you can give chestnuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. In addition, dried mushrooms, fruits and boiled vegetables should be included in the diet. Everything salty and fried is strictly prohibited.
Of course, the squirrel is a funny and interesting animal, although it is not always clean. But if the owner is able to not only create good conditions, but also find a common language with this essentially affectionate creature, observing his life and communicating with him may well bring considerable pleasure.
